Young coding enthusiasts from Dolgellau have competed against each other to create the best game, in a competition hosted by Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor.

The contest gave year five and six children the chance to show what they had learnt at a coding club run by Level 3 Information Technology course at the Dolgellau campus.

87 children have developed basic coding skills under the guidance of the IT students.

Their newfound expertise was put to the test when they were tasked with creating an original game using the Scratch software.

Participants had to consider a range of elements, such as backdrops, characters, sounds, point systems, and how to win.

  Jini and Cadi with their tablets after finishing second in Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s coding competition, pictured with assistant principal Fflur Jones  (Image: Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor)

Judging criteria included creativity, originality, technical proficiency, gameplay, and user experience.

The first, second, and third-place pairs were all presented with a tablet.

This year's winners were Cynan and Erin from Safle Dinas Mawddwy in first place, followed by Jini and Cadi from Safle Dolgellau and Cadi and Iago from Safle Rhydymain in third place.

Sioned William, ICT L2 & L3 course coordinator at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor, said: "This is the first year post-Covid-19 that Code Clubs have been running again at Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor.

"They are an excellent opportunity to develop sought-after coding skills and to foster an interest in coding from a young age, which is high on the agenda for development at primary schools.

Iago and Cadi after finishing third in Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor’s coding competition, pictured with assistant principal Fflur Jones  (Image: Coleg Meirion-Dwyfor)

"But also, it is a fantastic opportunity for our learners to use their skills and work with the local community.

"Most of our learners are nervous to begin with, but once they have done the first session they thoroughly enjoy it and note it as one of their highlights of the course!"

Haydn, a Level 3 student, said: "It was cool to see how most of the kids understood how to code quickly and enjoyed the sessions."

Micah added: "It was an interesting experience, I feel like it benefited the children.

"It was a good opportunity for the kids, and for us to get out of the classroom and use our skills."

The Code Club is part of a nationwide initiative backed by the Raspberry Pi Foundation.